低潮 (dī cháo) — low tide; low point, ebb (figurative) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Literally 'low tide'; used both literally (ocean tide) and figuratively for a low point or downturn in career, economy, or mood.

noun

low tidelow pointebb (figurative)

Examples

低潮，。
Jīn tiān xià wǔ shì dī cháo, wǒ men kě yǐ qù hǎi biān jiǎn bèi ké.
This afternoon is low tide, so we can go to the beach to collect shells.
低潮，。
Tā de shì yè zhèng chǔ yú dī cháo, dàn tā méi yǒu fàng qì.
His career is at a low point, but he hasn't given up.
低潮，。
Jīng jì dī cháo shí, hěn duō rén xuǎn zé jì xù xué xí.
During economic downturns, many people choose to continue studying.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

低 (“low”) and 潮 (“tide”) give low tide, also a low point.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

亻氐低

Meaning part形符xíngfú

亻Written in full as人rénman, person

Sound part声符shēngfú

氐

氐dī低dī

Same sound today

In 低, the left side 亻 is a person, and the right side 氐 gives the sound; the image is a person lowering or bowing themselves.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

氵朝潮

Meaning part形符xíngfú

氵Written in full as水shuǐwater

Sound part声符shēngfú

朝

朝cháo潮cháo

Same sound today

潮 has 氵, the water form 水, on the left to show a water connection, with 朝 on the right giving the sound.

Appears in

Abstract Concepts

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